Really cool video about how synthetic vs conventional oil effects engines over 500,000 miles

[superj]

I disagree with the notion that the test was unfair, especially for the reason quoted here. Both Valvoline synthetic and conventional 5w30 oils meet the Ford spec for our engines, so I seriously doubt most folks ask if the oil that a mechanic used was conventional and then adjust the factory-specified change interval to 3k or even 5k. I think it's far more likely that most folks just wait for their dashboard to tell them to change their oil.

Sure, many of us here are uncomfortable going 10k on conventional, fewer are uncomfortable going 10k on synthetic, and fewer yet get TBN numbers from drain samples to help determine when their oil actually needs to be changed, rather than going on "conventional wisdom" which too often is just hearsay or crowd-sourced rumors and herd mentality.

https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publ...3793b338/31d6eae3-48fd-ea11-b7fc-48df3793b338
https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publ...3793b338/935b410c-1d56-eb11-b800-48df3793b338
https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...nformation/2025_Ranger_P703_TRD_OM_ENG_V1.pdf (p.467 for oil spec)

I agree most people just go by the light.

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[donkey]

Synthetic blend every 3K miles with a tire rotation is $100 at my dealer. That’s what I prefer, changing often with synthetic blend vs. 10,000 miles with full synthetic is better in my opinion.

 

[Hoss]

I agree most people just go by the light.

What light

 

[superj]

The system maint that flashes on the screen when the mileage is met

 

[Lion77]

UOI's are the best way to gauge oil life. The oil life indicators work pretty well for average conditions but Used Oil Analysis tells you the actual condition of the oil at the end of the change interval. Then you know for sure.

Changing early isn't going to harm the vehicle and its good insurance, BUT your probably pissing money down the literal oil drain plug. Oil at 3k vs. 7k if the oil still is within it's viscosity range and the additive packages are not used up is not going to "make your engine last longer" because the oil is still in serviceable condition.

You know those big rigs that go 1Million + miles? Most of those companies run their change intervals for each truck as long as possible, but no longer than what the oil can still provide in-spec performance. So, they run it as long as it's good, then change it, they do regular UOI's on their rigs, so do locomotive companies (my friend actually leases a locomotive for hauling hazardous materials, he said it's common for them to do UOI's on their diesel generators before oil changes).

 

[Ron Quixote]

Synthetic blend every 3K miles with a tire rotation is $100 at my dealer. That’s what I prefer, changing often with synthetic blend vs. 10,000 miles with full synthetic is better in my opinion.

I definitely agree that oil change frequency matters most. I’d rather change ever 3k with a blend than push some of the insane five-digit OCIs people attempt with synthetics.

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